FATE OF NATIONS

If "Manic Nirvana" could be described loosely as his Hippy album, "Fate of Nations", released 25th May 1993 on Fontana, could possibly be Plant's Folksy album complete with acoustic guitars, mandolin and hurdy-gurdy, though Folk is very close to his heart this inevitably remains his most personal album? the message behind "Fate of Nations" is hinted at by the cover art of children watching the Earth in meltdown, and the songs "Great Spirit" and "Network News" allude to the socially conscious, a sentiment otherwise rare in Plant's songs.

Plant employs a completely different lineup of musicians including a guest spot from Nigel Kennedy on "Calling to You", the first track on the album which serves to set the mystical, textured and mature mood throughout, "Fate of Nations" is said to be one of the most interesting Plant albums for Prog lovers, it contains a wide spectrum of styles, instruments and themes, the eastern style rock extends onto the next track "Down to the Sea", this North African style of music had always been a fascination for Plant, eventually leading to a collaboration with Jimmy Page on the full blown "No Quarter" project.

A Celtic folksy "Clannad" feel with suitably ethereal vocals from Maire Brennan feature on "Come into my Life", some beautiful backing vocals in the same style, then a very personal song "I Believe" which Plant wrote about dealing with the death of his son Karac, who died in a swimming pool accident while Zeppelin were on tour.

"29 Palms", a song about a favourite place in America's California desert, continues in the same mood, the Zeppelinesque "Memory Song", and folk classic "If I Were a Carpenter" follows, a Tim Hardin song lavishly complemented with orchestral accompaniment. A traditional style acoustic Irish folk song "Colours of a Shade" follows, using various instruments (including fretless bass to great effect), contrasted by the electric rock- blues "Levee" harmonica sound of "Promised Land", featuring some very Page style riffs indeed, which leave the grandiose "Greatest Gift" and the the socio-political "Great Spirit" and "Network News" to round off the album.

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